Eight: Captain Quartermaster T. Cooke, Essex Regiment

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (5999409 C.Sjt. T. Cooke. Essex R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1935; Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (5999409 W.O.Cl.2. T. Cooke. Essex. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (5999409 W.O.Cl.II. T. Cooke. Essex R.) edge bruise to Defence Medal, toned, generally nearly extremely fine or better (8) £340-380

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Long Service Medals to the Essex Regiment formed by Ian Miller.

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Tom Cooke was born in Brightlingsea, Essex, on 21 October 1899, and attested for the Essex Regiment on 27 February 1919, having previously served briefly in the East Surrey Regiment (although not entitled to any medals for service during the Great War). He was mentioned in Battalion Orders on 3 March 1931; was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal; and took part in the Coronation procession on 10 May 1937 (but does not appear in the roll for the 1937 Coronation Medal). He deputised for a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London from 12 July 1937, and was discharged on 23 May 1939. Joining the Territorial Army he was commissioned as Lieutenant (Quartermaster) on 24 May 1939 and served with the 5th Battalion during the Second World War, being promoted Captain on 1 November 1942. For his services during the Second World War he was Mentioned in Despatches for ‘gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East’ (London Gazette 6 April 1944). He relinquished his commission in the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers having attained the age limit of liability for recall on 21 October 1954, and died in Colchester, Essex, in 1967.

Sold together with the original award certificate for the 1935 Jubilee Medal, from Viceregal Lodge, Simla, named to ‘R.Q.M.S. Tom Cooke, The Essex Regiment’; and a photographic image of the recipient.